Have you heard the one about how you can get great deals on airfare, hotel rooms or cruise vacations at the last minute?

Well not so fast.

It is true that many last minute travel bargains can be found on the web, but it is not as easy as waiting until the day before an important trip to try to make your reservations.

First the bad news: if you want to travel on or around an exact date, trying to book your travel a week or two before that date will almost certainly result in exorbitant fares rather than reduced costs. If you have a specific time you need to travel, due to a vacation, holiday, family gathering or a special event; you are far better off booking months in advance.

The key to getting great last-minute deals is flexibility. Flexibility in when you can travel and how long you can stay.

Let me give you an example. My parents are retired and, because my mother is disabled, they prefer to take their vacations on cruises.

Last year, they got an email alert from a cruise agency, announcing a seven day cruise of the Hawaiian Islands for about 20% of its usual rate. But